As an artist who needs no introduction, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 14 albums to date, with seven of them certified Platinum, and has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. In an industry known for a constantly revolving door of artists, he has easily established himself with an enviable record of chart consistency, toured successfully for over a decade, and collaborated with performers across every genre, including Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson, and Kenny G.

Born in Buffalo, New York, McKnight's musical career began in childhood when he became a member of his church choir and a band leader for his high school. By the age of 19, he had signed his first recording deal with a Mercury Records subsidiary, Wing Records. In 1992, he released his self-titled debut, followed by I Remember You (1995) and Anytime (1997). Anytime sold over two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy.

In 1999, McKnight released Back at One on Motown Records. His most successful album to date, the disc sold over three million copies. Successive releases like Superhero (2001), U Turn (2003), Gemini (2005), Ten (2006), and Evolution of a Man (2009) posted excellent sales numbers as well.

Along with several Grammy nominations, McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and the Billboard Songwriter of the Year award. He has even crossed the boundaries of the music medium into television, radio, Broadway, and even sports. He has hosted nationally syndicated television and radio shows, performed on Broadway as Billy Flynn in the hit musical Chicago, appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, and even played basketball for ABA's Ontario Warriors.

Of course, McKnight still continues to produce top-rate R&B as well – he released his 14th and latest album, titled Just Me, in 2011 and supported the release with a worldwide tour and live DVD.

Tonight at the Blue Note, McKnight performs with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, a world-class big band dedicated to preserving the legacy of perhaps the greatest jazz composer of all time.